10 Apps You Need Before You Travel

As exciting as traveling can be, parts of it can also be frustrating, confusing, or even boring. Here's a list of must have applications that will make your trip to Saint Croix easier and more enjoyable

8. Places to Eat

Here’s a handful of recommendations you will enjoy.

• Roots-N-Kulchah (Vegan)

• Cast Iron Pot

• Corrine’s food van (Vegan)

• The Galleon

• Frontline

• Cibone

• Le Cuisinier

• Napoleon’s Pizza

9. Live Music

There are numerous sunset sail excursions with music onboard. If you’re looking for live music you can find music at several restaurants and bars. There are also a few nightclubs and lounges on the island.

10. Health – Sunblock and Hydration

Most sunscreens contain Oxybenzone, an ingredient that has been found to be very harmful to coral reefs, so please be sure to buy a coral reef safe sunscreen for your trip (My-StCroix.com). The Caribbean is a naturally humid part of the world, and Saint Croix is no exception. Remember to drink lots of water and replenish your body's hydration.

11. Experience the Culture

The complex heritage of Saint Croix is a result of its rich history, and the lively cultures that have grown together so artfully on the island come from African, European, American, and of course, Taino and Carib influences.

12. Greetings and Local Customs

A proper greeting is an essential part of Crucian life, and simple American greetings such as “Hi” or “Hello” won’t cut it. Greet everyone you meet with a friendly, “Good morning”, “Good afternoon” or “Good night”, including rooms full of people.

13. Getting Around the Island, and Vehicle Rentals

Vehicles can be rented at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, as well as in the cities, but please remember we drive on the left-hand side of the road! Rental cars are recommended but taxi buses are available. There is no Uber or Lyft on the island.

14. Things to Do

From historical museums and botanical gardens, from snorkelling to horseback riding, and from bar hopping to drinking with the pigs, Saint Croix has a never-ending supply of activities that will keep absolutely anybody busy.

15. Leaving – Customs and Duty-Free

All gifts received during your stay must be declared when you leave, along with all purchases, so be sure to hold onto your receipts. US citizens may return to the Mainland US with $1600 of duty-free purchases, and six bottles of liquor if one of them is Cruzan rum.


Citations

“Sunscreens a Threat to Coral Reefs”, My-StCroix.com, 21 Oct. 2015, http://my-stcroix.com/help-save-our-virgin-islands-coral-reefs-safer-sunscreens/

1. NetflixSide-full-Book

Streaming movie apps are great for long travel days. You can enjoy movies during long flights and layovers. Netflix is a great option and there are many other options on the market. Remember to download your favorite movies while you have access to Wi-Fi.


When booking a vacation to a tropical island, nobody plans to spend their time indoors, hiding from the rain. But tropical islands wouldn’t be tropical without rain! With Netflix you can spend those days curled up on a couch with your family, watching an interesting documentary, or marathoning your favorite TV series.

2. Google Maps

Finding your way around a new place while surrounded by strangers can be stressful and terrifying, but lucky for us all, Google Maps is now a thing. No more paper maps blowing away in the wind... just pull out your phone, enter the name of the place, and Google Maps will take you right to it.

3. WhatsApp

Wi-fi is a growing phenomenon, and the more it grows, the less we need to travel with roaming cell phone networks. WhatsApp allows written text messages as well as voice and video calls, and all you need to do to keep your business running or check up on your family is connect to the nearest wi-fi network to use it. Saint Croix has numerous free wi-fi hotspots, and you should have no problem staying connected.

4. TripIt

Use TripIt to create your travel itinerary, and you can check in to paradise, secure in the knowledge that everything is all planned out. Planning a realistic itinerary is difficult, especially when your time is limited, and you want to fit in every activity you can. TripIt will help you plan your trip and stay abreast of any new developments such as delayed flights.

5. Gaia GPS

Hiking is a popular activity on Saint Croix, allowing visitors to see the ruins of the old sugar mills, the beautiful views, and the high concentration of Baobab trees. Gaia GPS is a hiking app that allows you to pre-plan your hiking routes, navigate while hiking, and track your progress. The path to the Ham's Bluff Lighthouse, Annaly Bay Tide Pools, and countless others are shown on the map.

6. Apple Music

What is a good getaway without music? Download Apple Music and start building the playlist that will become the soundtrack to your vacation. While on Saint Croix you will come across plenty of local music. See how much of it you can find online, and create a Saint Croix playlist that will remind you of your trip for years to come.

7. TripAdvisor

Knowing where to eat, where to stay, and what to do with your time presents some difficult choices, especially on a large, diverse island like Saint Croix. TripAdvisor allows you to learn from the experiences of previous travelers, and find out the best way to make the most of your vacation.

8. The Weather Channel

A reliable weather app is a must-have for any vacation. Choose your activities ahead of time, from an informed position, and make sure you don't miss out on your most exciting options because of a bit of rain or wind. The Weather Channel app includes an easy-to-use widget that gives you up-to-date forecasts right on your phone's home screen, weather alerts, and real time radar images.

9. Audible

If Netflix isn't your thing, Audible can be a great way to consume books during your flights and on rainy days. Simply download Amazon's premier app, which gives you easy access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and more.

10. Camera+ 2

With smartphones these days everyone is a photographer, but that's all the more reason to take the best pictures possible. Downloading a professional camera app, such as Camera+ 2, can help you produce photos that are above and beyond what the average Joe is posting on Facebook.

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